Michigan State Football: What role will Elijah Collins play in 2021?

Two years ago, Elijah Collins was on top of the world. He was just a redshirt freshman for Michigan State football and he seemed to be a breakout star in an offense that desperately needed one.

Collins put up some of the best rushing numbers since Jeremy Langford was in the backfield back in 2014, accounting for 988 yards and five touchdowns, truly breaking out against Western Michigan to steal the starting job from Connor Heyward.

Mark Dantonio’s retirement after his freshman season and the hiring of Mel Tucker didn’t deter Collins as he remained part of the rebuild. Unfortunately, the 2020 season didn’t go quite as planned as expectations for Collins were incredibly high, but he barely saw the field and admitted after the year that he had a bad case of COVID-19 that caused him to lose weight/muscle.

His role decreased as he lost snaps to Heyward and freshman Jordon Simmons who he was expected to pace. Collins was supposed to be the leader of the pack.

But 41 rushes for 90 yards later as well as the offseason additions of Kenneth Walker III and Harold Joiner have clouded his outlook for 2021.

What will Collins’ role be in the new-look offense next season?

Predicting Collins’ 2021 role with Michigan State football

With Walker III projected as the starter and Simmons coming back as the leading rusher from last season as a true freshman, carries might be at a premium this season.

But I still see Collins playing the perfect complement to Walker III. I could see them combining for a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield, possibly splitting carries 60/40 or somewhere around there. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a huge bounce-back season from Collins who will be healthy unlike he was in 2020.

Collins’ role should be a glorified backup who almost gets starter carries but I can also see the staff feeding the hot hand regularly. If Collins gets hot, he’ll stay in. If it’s Walker III or Simmons, expect them in on consecutive drives.

Either way, Michigan State is in good hands with three starting-caliber backs on the roster and the Spartans may just have one of the best trios in the Big Ten.